Faithfully, Johnny Mathis’ sixth album to earn gold RIAA certification and in only four calendar years’ time, is a masterful demonstration of romantic sensation. Johnny Mathis’ warm baritone vocals accompanied with Glenn Osser’s orchestra make it hard-pressed for any listener not to feel irresistible emotions of love, longing, and faith. A series of romantic ballad covers, this Long Playing spans twelve songs with a comfortable length of 45 minutes and 33 seconds.
The album begins with the eponymous title track “Faithfully”. As the song plays, the listener is wistfully carried away by Mathis’ soothing vocals and bellowing harmonies. On this romantic sonic ride, Mathis harmonizes of obedience to the love he shares with someone. He speaks not of just bare dedication to someone, but the sustained love that is authentic and passionate. That is faithfulness.
A personal highlight of mine “Nobody Knows (How Much I Love You)” is four minutes of shivering goosebumps. This song perfectly exemplifies the type of love that is simply inexpressible; the feelings that arise in solitude and absence of that person.
Halfway through the album we are greeted with “You Better Go Now”, a vulnerable confession of deep adoration for someone. A recognition of deeper feelings and the fear that comes with it. Fear that manifests as an insecure belief that things are going too well and it will somehow end in tragic heartbreak; you can’t help but think “you better go now”.
It cannot go without mentioning the album’s one single “Mariah”, a song from the 1957 Broadway musical West Side Musical. Mathis performs a powerful rendition of “Mariah”, a song detailing the mere excitement of saying the name of a romantic interest.
The single was released twice, the first being four months after the original LP hit storefronts, and the second release was in conjunction with 1961’s West Side Musical film adaptation. Both releases of the single charted and peaked at number 78 and 88 respectively.
Faithfully is a conceptually romantic classic and Mathis is in peak vocal ability on this album. Although this sound and era of music is long gone, it is always a treat to look back at the legends that paved the way.
Album score: 8
Suzanne Lang • Apr 5, 2025 at 12:46 pm
Thank you for your review of this splendid album. I was a fan (still am) and bought this album when it was first released. And, I was fortunate to have him autograph the album.
The beautiful words, the phrasing and the orchestrations make it one of my all-time favorite albums by Johnny Mathis. His rendition of “Maria” made it feel like a spiritual experience.
My personal favorites are “You Better Go Now,” “Nobody Knows How Much I Love You,” “Blue Gardenia,” and “Secret Love” which he has continued to sing in live performances.
This album, along with Heavenly and Warm, were part of the soundtrack of my life.
Dylan • Apr 3, 2025 at 9:14 pm
This article is honestly an eye opening read. It’s super interesting to find new artists / singers that have been around for years and have made hits that will always be around for years to come. After reading this article I went and listened to “Faithfulness” by Johnny Mathis and truthfully the writer of this article couldn’t have said it any better, this music really makes you think deeply on love and romance. So thank you to Mekhi Russ for the awesome read and the awesome recommendation, it was honestly a treat.